The final section of this volume covers the split second decisions that often have to be made as players advance. Sometimes we call these skills reactions and reflexes, but really they involve quick decisions. The drills we will share in this section are largely partner drills with one player calling out what the hitter needs to do. These exercises take the ball machine color drills from the last section to the next level and when designing drills like these, keep in mind that you should generally give only two options for each exercise. Take a look once again at an example that works on volley skills from that live workshop.

Let's do a similar drill now for more advance, it's called an advance beginning level, to an advance intermediate level, even a much more advanced level if you want. You say, I am counting a couple of ten steps, take a split, you keep the ball, call out catcher here, ready?

Okay, you get the idea? So let's have you guys try it now. As soon as you get five, you switch places with your partner. Here we go, on the whistle and I think we need you to do, ready?

Now, let's move to a little variation that is both more challenging and good for additional fun. Take a look as this little addition raises the group's energy quite a bit.

Alright, now when you catch it behind your back, you get three points. But, if you drop it, there is no point. So now, you are engaging the hard shots a little bit. If you get a hard shot in the group and you want to challenge them a little bit more, right?

If that look like fun, it was. Now, let's look at another similar exercise that is even more challenging. In this sequence, two balls will be handled at the same time, take a look.

You're going to hit at the same time, and the catch you want to hit, one back to you. Split; try to get as possible as short.

Yet another variation uses two balls at the same time, but with a quick response decision based on color.

Now, I am going to use color balls. Well, which one do you want to catch? I will call out everyone, alright, ready?

So it's the way of decision making for a color ball. So I very much like this concept of getting the players to multi-task. So it's now just simple catching and bouncing, although that's valuable. Remember, we covered the basics first. So it shouldn't be a group environment that just learning and laughing and music and having a lot of balls, it should be all of that but more than that, they must be also building skills and having goals that are very specific and you can tell them hey, look, you guys have accomplished A, B and C, and that makes you a better player after this hour, that's important.